Water damaged / rusted Morgans (how to restore)

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by GeorgeM, Nov 1, 2019.

Page 5 of 7
  1. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    One of the reasons I suggested lemon juice, it is mildly acidic and I think it has some complexing action also. Also, phosphoric acid isn't really that strong and is the primary constituent in the rust-removing Naval Jelly.
     
    Kentucky, Nov 5, 2019
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  3. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    I treated another Morgan (an 1889s) with the remaining acetone. It appeared to be covered in soot, so I was hoping to observe better results with removing an organic stain.

    Here's the before pics:

    20191105_195102.jpg 20191105_195108.jpg

    And after 1 hour of acetone immersion:

    20191105_205226.jpg 20191105_205232.jpg
     
    GeorgeM, Nov 5, 2019
    #82 + Quote Reply
  4. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    I got a batch of Morgan and Peace dollars that had that same "sooty" look, and got the same (lack of) results with acetone. It looks like a foreign substance, but it's apparently really just ugly toning.
     
    -jeffB, Nov 6, 2019
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  5. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Naval jelly, which Jim mentioned in post #4 of this thread, will get the rust off the coins. But I sure wouldn't recommend using it as it will also harm the coins.

    Some oils will also help to remove rust, but I wouldn't recommend going that route either. Partially because you then have to clean the coin again to remove the oils, and because the stains will still be there, making it an ineffective method.
     
    GDJMSP, Nov 6, 2019
    #84 + Quote Reply
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  6. UncleScroge

    UncleScroge Well-Known Member

    I think a lesson in picture cropping might be on the horizon.
     
    UncleScroge, Nov 6, 2019
    #85 + Quote Reply
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  7. Chip Kirkpatrick

    Chip Kirkpatrick Well-Known Member

    Anytime I want to clean silver I wet the coin well, sprinkle on some plain baking soda and gently rub between thumb and forefinger for a couple of minutes and then rinse. Repeat if needed. Eliminates tarnish and many stains and I’ve seen no damage
     
    Chip Kirkpatrick, Nov 6, 2019
    #86 + Quote Reply
  8. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Trust me, the damage is there. You just need to learn how to recognize it when ya see it.
     
    GDJMSP, Nov 6, 2019
    #87 + Quote Reply
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  9. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Baking soda is still abrasive. Rub any abrasive against a coin and you'll leave tracks.
     
    -jeffB, Nov 6, 2019
    #88 + Quote Reply
  10. UncleScroge

    UncleScroge Well-Known Member

    What about silver cleaner?
     
    UncleScroge, Nov 6, 2019
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  11. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Different silver cleaners contain different things, but if it's "polish", it has abrasives.

    Even if the product doesn't have abrasives, rubbing a coin will grind it with any debris that was on the coin, or on your hands, or on the tool you rub with. That's why the standard advice is DON'T RUB COINS WITH ANYTHING.

    Proper cleaning almost always means dipping the coin in a solvent (water, acetone, xylene), or (very carefully) a chemical cleaner, then gently rinsing it. Ideally, the only thing that should come in contact with the coin is liquid or gas. In practice, of course, you have to hold the coin -- by the edges, please, and gently but firmly.
     
    -jeffB, Nov 6, 2019
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  12. Nyatii

    Nyatii I like running w/scissors. Makes me feel dangerous

    Nyatii, Nov 6, 2019
    #91 + Quote Reply
  13. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    Absolutely terrible advice. If you're a new collector reading this thread, DO NOT follow this recommendation. Any coin rubbed with baking soda will be easily identified as cleaned and will have a reduced value
     
    Oldhoopster, Nov 6, 2019
    #92 + Quote Reply
  14. Lugia

    Lugia ye olde UScoin enthusiast

    I think you payed what theyre worth. as said before you don't want to rub them with anything but how much would you want to spend on trying to restore them. got to be honest my first thought was use CLR but im not even sure id try that.
     
    Lugia, Nov 6, 2019
    #93 + Quote Reply
  15. slackaction1

    slackaction1 Supporter! Supporter

    If there is anything to be learned in this forum it is be careful on how to use the terms Investment and Collectible. Never clean coins or don't mention it in here, use cents instead of penny. These Gents are telling what or how to care for your coins and handling them like a new born. or mention you tube that's ultimate death sentence..
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
    slackaction1, Nov 7, 2019
    #94 + Quote Reply
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  16. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    The distilled water is working, albeit very slowly. Here are the results after 3 days of soaking. I thought nothing was happening, but quite a bit of rust came iff on the drying towel I sat this on (no rubbing).
     
    GeorgeM, Nov 7, 2019
    #95 + Quote Reply
  17. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    Pics didn't upload properly, so I'll try again. This is the distilled water after 3 days.
     

    Attached Files:

    GeorgeM, Nov 7, 2019
    #96 + Quote Reply
  18. UncleScroge

    UncleScroge Well-Known Member

    Lookin' better!
     
    UncleScroge, Nov 7, 2019
    #97 + Quote Reply
  19. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    How much attention have you ever paid to rust on iron or steel George ? And/or trying to remove it ?

    If you have ever paid any attention at all really you should have noticed that as rust progresses some it, often even a lot, become soft, flaky, powdery in nature and it is easily removed. Sometimes even simply blowing on it will cause it to fall away.

    Then consider this, this is what you described in your post that started this thread -

    My point here is that when the rust was deposited on the coins, the soft, flaky, powdery bits of it was washed away from that pipe by the water and then deposited on the coins, where it then dried and adhered to the coins. So yeah, it makes perfect sense that using water will then cause some of it to go back into solution and come off the coins. I mean that's how it got there to begin with. But only the loose parts are gonna be carried away by water, the rest will remain. Unless and until it is removed by something that will dissolve it and remove it.

    The trick is to use something that will not harm the coin while it's doing that. And to be honest with ya, the only thing I'm aware of that will do that is coin dip.

    At the same I understand your desire and maybe even need to do your own experiments - nothing wrong with that, it's often the best way to learn.
     
    GDJMSP, Nov 7, 2019
    #98 + Quote Reply
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  20. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no
     
    Kentucky, Nov 7, 2019
    #99 + Quote Reply
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  21. UncleScroge

    UncleScroge Well-Known Member

    So what exactly is "coin dip"?
     
    UncleScroge, Nov 7, 2019
    #100 + Quote Reply
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